St Luke’s Trek Nepal and Community Project · Ghorepani - Poon Hill - Tadapani An hour-long pre-dawn ascent gives us the opportunity to see the fascinating views of the Annapurnas

St Luke’s Trek Nepal and Community Project

14th – 25th November 2020

Trip Overview

You will fly from London* on an indirect overnight flight to Kathmandu, the capital of Nepal, where you will enjoy a welcome dinner and a good rest at a central hotel.

The next two days will be spent at a non-profit organisation in Kathmandu which offers services to

terminally ill patients, and their families. It was set up by a team of local doctors in 2000 to provide free-of-charge medicine, therapies and support to those in need. The typical tasks you will be involved with

include basic refurbishment such as repainting rooms and improving kitchen or bathroom facilities,

gardening and general maintenance. Full details will be confirmed nearer the time.

Once your project activities are complete you will have a good night’s rest and transfer to the picturesque lakeside town of Pokhara from where the next part of your challenge beings.

Starting in nearby Nayapul you commence a five-day trek in the stunning Annapurna area of Nepal

where you will discover the local culture while enjoying views of the snowy peaks of the Annapurnas; a

highlight will be the panoramic sunrise views which unfold from Poon Hill (3400m), the highest point on the trek. Staying in quaint locally-owned teahouses during the trek is also a fantastic opportunity to

experience the incredible hospitality of the local people. After completing the trek you will return by road to Kathmandu and enjoy a farewell dinner and final

night in Nepal before your flight home the next day.

*Flights from a regional airport may be possible.

Trek details

How tough is the trekking? This trek is graded challenging because of the combination of long days trekking over varying terrain

(including some days where you will trek uphill all day), the changeable climate and the basic conditions

at the teahouse accommodation. Each day’s trek is between 5 and 8 hours in duration (variable

depending on group pace). What is the terrain like?

The first two days you will gain altitude so you will spend more time going uphill. On day three you will spend the morning ascending and the afternoon descending, and the final two days will be descending.

It is essential that your training includes plenty of hillwalking and trekking up gradients over consecutive

days in order to condition your muscles to this type of exertion. Underfoot you will find stony trails, muddy forest floors, rocky steps or scree slopes. In some places it will be very dusty (bring a ‘Buff’ to

cover your nose/mouth). There are some suspension bridges to cross.

Altitude

You will slowly ascend to an altitude of 2800m, then trek to the highest point on the trek at 3400m (Poon

Hill) where you will spend a short period of time before descending back to 2800m. Despite 3400m being within the agreed threshold for high altitude (3000m+), your time at this altitude is very limited so you

are unlikely to feel symptoms of altitude exposure. Your local guides are experienced in spotting altitude

related symptoms but please speak up if you are concerned about how you feel.

Support during the trip

Who accompanies us? You will be accompanied throughout the trek by English-speaking local Sherpa guides who have an

excellent knowledge of hiking in the region. The guides are first aid trained and will support you throughout your journey, sharing their experience and wisdom with you. You will also be supported by a

team of assistant guides and a Different Travel UK tour manager. Your luggage is carried by a team of local porters.

Where will we stay? You will stay at hotels in Kathmandu (4 nights) and Pokhara (2 nights) which have en-suite facilities and

tea houses with shared bathroom facilities during the trek (4 nights).

What about meals? All your meals are included, as specified on the itinerary. During the trek the food is plentiful although

the teahouses tend to offer similar menus so be prepared for a menu which is repeated. There will also be plenty of snacks and drinks available to purchase at each teahouse (prices vary). In tourist areas of Kathmandu you will find a wide range of restaurants catering for international and high-

quality Nepalese food.

Who can join this trip?

An ideal candidate for the trek would be someone who enjoys trekking and being out of their comfort zone; is interested in different cultures and is willing to train for the challenge. The minimum age is 18,

although 16-17 year olds may register if accompanied by a parent or legal guardian.

Health considerations We require a medical form to be completed by everyone upon registering, and any pre-existing conditions, medications used and other medical issues must be noted and (if relevant) signed by your

GP. Any conditions that develop must be declared and a new medical form completed and signed.

What does it cost?

What does it cost? To sign up you will pay a non-refundable, non-transferrable registration fee of £385.

Once your place is confirmed you can start your fundraising which is a minimum target of £3,690 for St Luke’s Hospice. A self-funded option is also available upon request.

The £385 registration fee is totally separate from, and in addition to, fundraising targets or self-funded balance payments.

The Events team at St Luke’s Hospice will help you every step of the way to reach, and most likely

exceed, this target.

What is included? Return flights from London*, airport taxes and fuel surcharges, all transfers and transport in Nepal, hotel

accommodation in Kathmandu and Pokhara (six nights), teahouse accommodation for trek (four nights), all meals as specified, local English-speaking guides, porters and support crew, trek permits.

Trip Does Not Include: Nepal visa (US$25 on arrival), transport to/from UK airport, bottled water, personal expenses (drinks,

snacks, showers, souvenirs etc.), meals other than those specified, travel insurance, vaccinations, tips (approx. £25-30), personal trekking kit etc.

*Flights from a regional airport may be possible.

Itinerary

Day 1-2 (Saturday 14 – Sunday 15 November 2020): London to Kathmandu

Depart for Kathmandu on an indirect overnight flight. Upon arrival in Kathmandu you will

transfer to a central hotel. Depending on flight times there may be an opportunity to do some independent sightseeing before gathering

together for a briefing on the days ahead and a welcome dinner at a local restaurant.

Meals: Dinner

Day 3-4 (Monday 16 – Tuesday 17 November

2020): Kathmandu The next two days will be spent assisting at the

hospice care project in Kathmandu on a range of tasks such as painting, decorating, gardening

and so on. We will stay at a hotel each night. Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner.

Day 5 (Wednesday 18 November 2020): Kathmandu - Pokhara

After breakfast we depart for the scenic drive to

Pokhara (approx. six hours). Upon arrival in this

beautiful lakeside town we check into the hotel

then the afternoon is free to take in the sights or even do some souvenir shopping.

Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner.

Day 6 (Thursday 19 November 2020): Pokhara - Nayapul - Ulleri

This morning we transfer to Nayapul (approx. 2 hours’ drive) from where you commence the

trek. You will follow the banks of the Bhurungdi Khola River as far as Tikhedhunga (1575m) where your final challenge for the day is a steep

uphill walk to Ulleri where you stay the night in a teahouse (2073m).

Approx. 10km trek / 530m ascent. Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner.

Day 7 (Friday 20 November 2020): Ulleri - Ghorepani

A day of ascent! Today we will gradually gain more altitude as we walk for about 5 hours

uphill to the overnight teahouse in Ghorepani

(2800m). As we approach Ghorepani we will pass through stunning rhododendron forests.

Approx. 11km trek / 1400m ascent. Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner.

Day 8 (Saturday 21 November 2020): Ghorepani - Poon Hill - Tadapani

An hour-long pre-dawn ascent gives us the opportunity to see the fascinating views of the

Annapurnas and Dhaulagiri glowing in the morning sun from Poon Hill (3400m). After

breakfast back at the teahouse, it is a mostly downhill walk through magnificent oak and rhododendron forests, to reach our teahouse in

Tadapani, where you will have another chance to enjoy views of Annapurna South and

Machapuchare (Fishtail Mountain). Approx. 11km trek / 330m ascent / 640m descent.

Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner.

Day 9 (Sunday 22 November 2020):

Tadapani - Ghandruk The descent to Ghandruk is a shorter and easier walk, mostly downhill. From Tadapani you

descend through mossy forests and deep gorges, before the scenery changes to a drier

more sparse forest as we approach Ghandruk,

where we will stay in a teahouse tonight. Ghandruk is a beautiful Gurung Village, where

many of the inhabitants are Gurkhas. Approx. 8km trek / 700m descent. Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner.

Day 10 (Monday 23 November 2020): Ghandruk - Pokhara

Today is our final day of trekking as we descend to Birethanti, from where we travel by road back

to our hotel in Pokhara. Approx. 13km trek / 1000m descent. Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner.

Day 11 (Tuesday 24 November 2020):

Pokhara - Kathmandu This morning we transfer back to our hotel in

Kathmandu (approx. 6 hours), stopping for lunch en-route. Upon arrival in Kathmandu we will freshen up before a farewell dinner at a local

restaurant this evening. Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner.

Day 12-13 (Wednesday 25 – Thursday 26 November 2020): Kathmandu - London

Transfer to the airport for the return flight to London. You may arrive on Thursday 26 November

depending on flight schedules. Meals: Breakfast.

N.B. This itinerary has been prepared in advance so

while we do not anticipate changes, this itinerary may

be subject to alteration due to flight schedules, hotel

availability and other factors outside our control.

During the trip itself the itinerary will depend on the

group ability, weather and the daily circumstances.

Any changes in the itinerary will be made in the

interest of group safety and enjoyment. In-country,

your guide and tour manager will have the final say in

the interest of the health and safety of the group.

Kit List

PLEASE NOTE: this list is just a guideline and is not exhaustive.

The items on this list do not take into account your personal preferences based on your previous trekking experience, or individual requirements. For information about items on this list please refer to

the trip dossier or contact The Different Travel Company on [email protected]

*Please ensure you pack your hiking boots into your hand baggage in the unlikely event your checked

luggage goes missing or is delayed.

ESSENTIALS HYGIENE OPTIONAL

E-tickets + pre-departure info Shampoo + shower gel Video camera + charger

Passport + copy Toothbrush + toothpaste MP3 player/iPod

US$25 + visa-on-arrival authorisation Antiperspirant deodorant Playing cards

Passport photo for trek permit Wet wipes (small pack) Diary/notebook and pen

Travel insurance info Toilet paper (1-2 rolls) Walking pole(s)

Cash + credit/ATM card(s) Nappy sacks (for used loo roll) Packing cubes/luggage organiser

LED head torch + spare batteries Hand sanitiser

Plug adaptor (EU 2 round pins) Sun cream (SPF 30+) LUGGAGE

Sunglasses (100% UV) Small travel towel Suitcase for checked luggage

Camera + spare batteries Feminine hygiene products Daypack (25-30 litres)

Mobile phone + charger Kit bag

FIRST AID KIT Combination padlocks

CLOTHING & ACCESSORIES Prescription medicine Dry bag/rucksack liner

Hiking boots* 50% DEET insect repellent

Trainers/camp booties for evenings Ibuprofen EATING AND DRINKING

Trek socks + underwear Paracetamol Energy snacks

Non-cotton base layer Anti-histamine tablets/cream 2-litre water bottle e.g. CamelBak

Non-cotton t-shirt Imodium (Loperamide) plus 1-litre water bottle or

Warm jacket (e.g. down/Primaloft) Plasters 3x 1-litre water bottles

Warm mid layer or fleece Blister plasters (Compeed) Electrolyte tablets

Thermal top + bottoms Rehydration (e.g. Dioralyte) Water purification

Lightweight trek trousers Muscle rub (e.g. Deep Heat) Flask/Thermos (optional)

Waterproof jacket + trousers Lip balm with SPF protection Favourite tea/coffee/choc (optional)

Warm gloves Indigestion remedy (Gaviscon)

Warm hat Antiseptic cream (e.g. Savlon) SLEEPING

Sun hat Scissors/tweezers Ear plugs (essential)

Buff (e.g. buffwear.co.uk) - for dust Decongestant Sleeping bag (comfort -5°C)

Casual attire for travel days Zinc oxide tape (optional) Silk sleeping bag liner

Scarf or pashmina (for temples) Throat lozenges (optional) Pyjamas (use thermals for trek)

Old clothes for project Spare glasses/contact lenses

Comfortable footwear for project